What won the race: Leading all the way, polesitter Chad Mahder of Bloomer, Wis., captured the Late Model portion of Red Cedar Speedway's 44th annual Punky Manor Challenge of Champions, earning $5,107 for winning the event a second straight time. Mahder wasn't seriously challenged in taking the checkers 0.791 of a second ahead of third-starting Dave Flynn while eighth-starting Ashley Anderson picked up four spots late to finish third.

Quotable: "The plan right from the start was really to just keep the car straight, keep the car underneath me, and it turned out (the groove) kind of went to the high side right away and I was like, well, I guess there ain't much of taking care of tires anymore," Mahder said, later calling it a "dream" to win back-to-back Punky Manor trophies. "I mean, it took me 20 years to win the first one and then to get two in a row. I probably won't sleep tonight."

Key notes: Mahder's previous event victory came in 2022 (last year's event rained out). ... Mahder won for the fourth time this season at Red Cedar. ... He won a Friday heat and dash, too. ... The 40-lapper's lone caution appeared on the 38th lap when Jesse Glenz tangled with Lance Hofer on the frontstretch (that erased Mahder's nearly three-second lead). ... Glenz was restored to his fifth running position. ... A dozen drivers completed 40 laps and 16 were running at the finish. ... Red Cedar's annual event honors Manor, the late racer and former Late Model champion who died at the age of 26 in an automobile accident.

On the move: Darrell Nelson of Hermantown, Minn., started 14th and finished seventh.

Winner's sponsors: Mahder's MB Customs Race Car is sponsored by Kelly Heating & Electric, Sabre Plumbing & Heating, Bryant Heating & Cooling, Documation Racing, Union Trailer & Power Equipment, Processed Metals Innovators, Chippewa Valley Energy, Westhill Auto Rallies & Race Fuel, A&A Trucking, Julson's Auto Service, Underground Systems Inc., CMD Race Shocks and Bohl Excavating.

Points chase: Track points after Saturday: 1. John Kaanta (719); 2. Chad Mahder (710); 3. Jim Carlson (649); 4. Aaron Wilson (622); 5. Jordan Langer (611).

Current weather: Broken Clouds, 66°F

Car count: 33

Fast qualifier: Jake Redetzke

Time: 15.700 seconds

Polesitter: Chad Mahder

Dash winner: Chad Mahder

Heat race winners: John Kaanta, Sammy Mars, Chad Mahder, Greg Nippoldt,  ,  ,  ,  

Consolation race winners: Troy Springborn,  ,  ,  

Provisional starters: Kevin Eder, Jordan Langer,  ,